Education

JCC Preschool
The Jewish Community Center PreSchool South Branch is located at the Irving Cohen Center at Rodeph Sholom.

The JCC PreSchool offers a variety of programs for young children. The education program is based on the developmental needs of individual children. The basic goals of Early Childhood Education include structuring the environment to provide opportunities for children that aid in their physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth. The program includes readiness, math concepts, science, social studies, motor development, creative arts and music. The PreSchool emphasizes fun and meaningful Jewish experiences, which include weekly Shabbat programs, holiday celebrations and intergenerational experiences.

For more information, visit www.jewishtampa.com and click on Jewish Community Center PreSchool.

Religious School
Our Religious School engages children in Judaic and Hebrew learning through classroom study, special family education programs, community service, and leading Shabbat services. Judaic studies include holidays and life cycle rituals, Israel, the Holocaust, Bible studies, and Jewish ethics. We put special emphasis on Hebrew and synagogue skills, which are particularly important for future involvement in synagogue and Jewish communal life. Our cantor works closely with all students who are preparing for the bar or bat mitzvah, personally training each child to lead the Friday evening and Shabbat morning services, read from the Torah, and chant the haftarah. The rabbi studies the Torah portion with each child and guides him/her in the writing of a bar/bat mitzvah speech. Special holiday family programs punctuate the school year, such as the Sukkah decorating party, Chanukah menorah contest, latke party and Tu B’Shevat Seder.

Our Religious School begins with pre-kindergarten and continues through seventh grade. All classes meet on Sunday mornings, and third through sixth grades also meet on either Monday or Wednesday afternoon.

Beginning in the eighth grade, Berger Jewish Community High School provides an opportunity for teenagers to further their religious education and strengthen their Jewish identity. Tenth graders participate in our Confirmation program, a year-long course of study with the rabbi that culminates in a weekend trip to “Jewish” New York and the Confirmation celebration in May.

The Religious School is guided by a full-time professional director of education and the Education, Youth & Family (EYF) Committee. Our professional and lay leadership ensure that our Religious School curriculum:
• provides a creative environment for development of Hebrew and synagogue skills,
• offers an innovative approach to family education,
• encourages children to develop cohesive relationships with each other,
• fosters a positive attitude toward life-long Jewish learning.

Adult Education
We at Rodeph Sholom place a strong emphasis on creative adult education and programming. The professional staff and volunteers work together to offer a wide array of adult education and synagogue programs to enrich the Jewish knowledge and experience of our members and the greater Tampa Jewish community.

Adult education comes in various formats and settings: our annual Scholar-in-Residence program that brings national Jewish teachers; study groups like Lunch & Learn and the Downtown Study Group; courses that examine Jewish ethics, thought and text; special mini-courses and lecture series on topics including interfaith Bible study, medical ethics, spirituality, and practical home and synagogue skills.

The Adult B’nei Mitzvah program is one of our most unique and exciting courses of study. This 15-month class is designed for adults with varying levels of Hebrew and Judaic background, and includes weekly Torah study, Hebrew and Torah/haftarah cantillation, examination of the meaning of prayers, and instruction in chanting Shabbat services. Taught by volunteers with the assistance of the rabbi and cantor, this course culminates in a full B’nei Mitzvah celebration for all students, who have ranged in age from 35 to 91!, as they take part in leading the service, giving the D’var Torah, and chanting from the Torah and haftarah.

Rodeph Sholom offers our members a Chavurah program that creates intimate groupings of members with common interests in religious, cultural, social and family activities.
Through our Cultural Arts Committee, we sponsor many exciting programs that explore Jewish tradition and culture in music, art, history and contemporary thought. Our cantor also produces an annual musical program with volunteer singers, musicians and performers from the congregation.

Family Education
Family Education programs are designed for parents, children, grandparents and all adults. These programs offer a Jewish experience through informal learning in a recreational and social atmosphere. Playtime programs, for families with children ages 5 and under, are normally held on Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM and provide theme-related activities, refreshments, games and socialization.

The opportunities in these programs are as boundless as a child’s energy and excitement. Your children will experience the very best that our youth groups and family programs have to offer: spirit, prayer, friendship and fun.